In parrallel to Mike 2E0YYY’s activation this morning (documented here: G/SP-013 report...A dry run for Saturday ) I monitored wspr.net and the real time propagation world maps told me the following, which might be useful for Saturday.
40m no longpath, only short path 0700-0810 (and possibly later) between EU and NA (Atlantic path) and VK to NA (Pacific path).
30m from 0630 to 0800 and beyond - CW contacts possible between EU/UK and VK or EU/UK and NA or VK/ZL and NA - all around the world!
20m opened only at 0700 not the expected 0630 and there was long path to VK/ZL until 0745, then the band turned to short path into Africa up to 0830 when it closed for DX (Inter-EU still OK).
17m Longpath between EU and JA from 0700-0745. Short period of short path comms between 0745-0750 into South Africa.
15m nothing longpath but a short period of Short path comms from 0740-0745 between VK and JA.
Nothing to speak of on bands above 15m or below 40m.
Thanks for the useful info re propagation Ed. If I make it up, I may well switch to 40m after about 0745 to see if any insomniacs are playing in NA!
Otherwise it’ll mainly be 20m SSB for the DX (anyone out of sight welcome) and 2m FM for the fellow loonies in NP (local S2S just as welcome as the DX).
The latest forecast has shown 20-28mph easterly wind, sub zero temp and (the good news) the snow being replaced by heavy rain. If my flight home tomorrow is delayed I won’t be able to make it up before dark and will wimp out. In which case I may drive out to chase on 2m.
Good luck all
After several options considered, I think I’ve made my decision and instead of:
a 4 pointer drive-on summit not giving me any points because I activated it this year,
a 4 pointer drive-on which would give 4+3 points but has no cell phone signal
a 1 pointer drive-on summit which I already activated last year for this event
I’ll finally hike to Mt. Etxauri EA2/NV-070 (1138m a.s.l.), as it’s not too far from my QTH (about 25-30Km), it’s not a too long and difficult hike, it will give me 4+3 points and it has a great take-off in the form of a nearly vertical cliff of +300m towards the West, which I hope will give me very good chances for the Long Path to VK-ZL.
This is the track I’ll follow and there you can see the orography of the terrain.
All my fingers and toes are crossed hoping for no ice, no rain, no wind… and the propagation Gods in a good mood. Nothing else…
Just made a change of Summit, now doing Mt Blue Rag VK3/VE-021 instead. It’s a nicer Summit to visit, but a little more driving on 4WD trails. All other details remain the same.
Fingers crossed for good weather and reasonable HF conditions
A dx session this evening (Friday) not too much joy on 20M so think I will concentrate on the lower bands.
30/40M as the greyline approaches the eastern side of VK.
Later in the evening after sunset will give 20M a bash then. Conditions are not that bright from what I am getting.
Regrettably meteo office raised an extreme WX warning (rain, thunderstorms, wind) here for tomorrow and Sunday.
So, I will stay in safe side, i e, I will be a chaser instead…
30m looks like possibly being the band with a better path to VK at that time. However, the bulk of the activity will be on 20m - so I’m going to focus on that. Swings and roundabouts.